Blue 58 - A Packers Podcast

Today on Blue 58, we’re lucky to be joined by Mark Beech. Mark Beech is the managing editor of The Player’s Tribune and has previously worked for Sports Illustrated and other sports-focused publications. He released his book “The People’s Team” in 2019, and it’s as close to a comprehensive look at Packers history as we’ve got. He dives deep on the team’s origins, its growth and how players should...

The Packers have made the cuts necessary to trim their roster to 53. At least, for now. What do we make of the initial roster? And what’s all this about trading for a punter? Cut day recap (00:34) The Packers aren’t done shaping their roster, but we do have the initial 53-man squad to peruse. Trading for a punter (14:47) The Packers traded for punter Corey Bojorquez. Who is he and was it a good id...

Except for a preseason game, training camp is all but over. So as we wait for kickoff, let’s make one last prediction as to who’s going to be on the Packers’ 53-man roster. SUPPORT BLUE 58 Donate to our Patreon - For as little as $1 per month, you can access Patreon-only content and get access to our private Discord server. https://www.patreon.com/thepowersweep Buy a T-Shirt or Sweatshirt - Look g...

The Packers are through their second roster cutdown. Who’s in, who’s out, and what’s it mean? Let’s talk about it. Then, a couple of key position battles will shape the last week of training camp. Let’s check in on how things are going on the defensive and offensive line. Cut Day #2 (00:38) The Packers have completed their second round of cuts. Who’s in and who’s out? Checking in on position battl...

The Packers have unveiled new uniforms and I like them, but they’re driving me crazy. I’ll explain why. Then, we’ll get caught up on what’s going on in training camp, including some high praise for Eric Stokes. The Packers have new throwbacks (00:22) A small detail about the Packers’ new throwback uniforms has consumed your friendly neighborhood podcast host. Training camp updates (8:22) Royce New...

Josh Jackson has reached the end of the road. What did the Packers get in return for their former second-round pick? We’ll talk about that, in addition to catching up on what happened in the Packers’ first preseason game. Cut day catchup (00:47) From Josh Jackson’s exit to the return of Jake Dolegala, we run down what the Packers did on their first roster cutdown. Recapping the Packers’ first pres...

You’ve seen that famous Sports Illustrated cover featuring Aaron Rodgers and all his talented pass catchers. That group powered the Packers to a 15-1 record and helped Rodgers win his first MVP. What if this year’s offense is even better? Training camp roundup (00:40) A bunch of guys returned to the field for the Packers this week, including Za'Darius Smith. Is this year's offense the deepest sinc...

Becoming a smarter football fan involves talking to smart people, and we’ve got a good one on today’s episode. Settle in, put on your thinking caps, and get ready to learn some great stuff about the state of modern defense. Buy Cody’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Cody-Alexander/e/B073TT9SDN?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1628627112&sr=8-3 Subscribe to Match Quarters on Substack: https://matchq...

With the Packers’ first preseason game just days, it’s time to start speculating as to who’s going to be on the final 53-man roster. Who’s in, who’s out, and who’s on the bubble. We’ve got it all for you right here. Recapping recent storylines (1:24) From Devin Funchess to Jordan Love, let’s catch up on the Packers’ big storylines from training camp. What’s the outlook for Rashan Gary in 2021? (6:...

The Packers are about a week away from their first preseason game. What should we be watching for? I’ll tell you what’s at the top of my list. News and notes from training camp (00:49) Josiah Deguara is back and the Packers have a couple of new players. Let’s catch up on what’s happened in camp. Link to Patreon piece about Packers fullbacks: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-are-packers-41906462 W...

Training camp is underway and already interesting storylines are beginning to emerge. But the pads have barely been on, and we haven’t even seen a preseason game. How do we decide what stories are worth following and what’s summertime fluff? Catching up on training camp storylines (00:25) Who’s turning heads in camp? Who’s already calling it quits? What storylines are actually worth following? (11...

Packers training camp is officially underway and there is no shortage of storylines to track. But the biggest one is Aaron Rodgers. He shared everything that was on his mind and then some. What should we make of it? Aaron Rodgers recap (1:09) Aaron Rodgers was going to make headlines no matter what he did at the start of training camp, but he made them for some very interesting reasons.  Dava...

Aaron Rodgers has ended his summer standoff with the Packers and will apparently be the team’s starting quarterback this season. What should we make of the situation and what should we think about what’s coming next? Aaron Rodgers is back (00:43) The summer of our discontent is over. What did we learn? Randall Cobb is coming, too (maybe?) (21:09) The Packers are picking up Randall Cobb as a part o...

We’re wrapping up our tour of the Packers with a look at their defensive backs, and there are some similarities between corner and safety. Both positions have some high-end talent, but some big questions about depth. Cornerbacks (00:31) The Packers have some promising bodies and some big question marks at corner. Does potential win out over inconsistency? Safeties (15:26) The Packers might have th...

The Packers are in a bit of an odd situation: they have a bunch of pretty viable linebackers on the roster. Are any of them good? Well...that’s a different question. Adam Schefter offers no new details on Aaron Rodgers (1:04) ESPN’s preeminent NFL reporter dropped a noteworthy tweet on the Packers’ quarterback Tuesday, but he had very little to say. Packers linebackers are plentiful but mysterious...

The Packers have some noteworthy big bodies on the defensive line and some noteworthy names at edge rusher. What should we expect from these guys this season? Previewing the defensive line (00:40) The Packers have had question marks on the defensive line for years now, and they don’t appear to be letting up now. Previewing the Packers EDGE rushers (11:56) The Packers’ edge rusher depth chart is a...

The Packers have a strong offensive line in general, but there are more than a few question marks, too. Will it end up being an asset to the team, or will they have to keep dumping resources into fixing it? Setting expectations for the offensive line (00:22) The Packers have a very good offensive line, but there are some question marks out there too. Blood, Sweat and Chalk - Chapter 8 (18:45) Tim...

No matter who the Packers’ quarterback is, the Packers will have an abundance of pass catchers on the field pretty much at all times. But having a lot of guys who can catch the ball is one thing. Having good ones? That’s something else entirely. SUPPORT BLUE 58 Donate to our Patreon - For as little as $1 per month, you can access Patreon-only content and get access to our private Discord server. h...

Our 2021 season preview continues with a look at the Packers’ running backs, which might be the most topheavy position group on the roster right now.  Setting expectations for running backs (2:17) The Packers return two high-profile running backs, but there are more opportunities to be had. Who will step up and take them? And will Dexter Williams somehow survive into a third season in Green B...

The Packers have one thing going for them at quarterback right now: they’ve got a lot of them. How do we sort through what to expect from these guys? That’s exactly what we’re going to talk through today. SUPPORT BLUE 58 Donate to our Patreon - For as little as $1 per month, you can access Patreon-only content and get access to our private Discord server. https://www.patreon.com/thepowersweep Buy...

If you don’t set expectations for your team, how do you know if they’re doing a good job or not? Answering that question is our goal for the next few episodes, and today we’re starting with the front office and the head coach. Setting expectations for the front office (3:14) The front office got the Packers into a strange situation the last couple of offseasons. Now it’s up to Mark Murphy and Bria...

If you had one chance to get someone to love the Packers as much as you do, what would you tell them? SUPPORT BLUE 58 Donate to our Patreon - For as little as $1 per month, you can access Patreon-only content and get access to our private Discord server. https://www.patreon.com/thepowersweep Buy a T-Shirt or Sweatshirt - Look good while supporting The Power Sweep. https://teespring.com/stores/the-...

Conflict with their quarterback notwithstanding, the Packers have a solid football team. But uncertainty in one position group could be their undoing...or their greatest strength. SUPPORT BLUE 58 Donate to our Patreon - For as little as $1 per month, you can access Patreon-only content and get access to our private Discord server. https://www.patreon.com/thepowersweep Buy a T-Shirt or Sweatshirt -...

Everybody loves a good game of would you rather, and in a weird way that’s exactly what the Packers are facing this offseason. Thanks to a listener question, we get to put ourselves in the Packers’ shoes. SUPPORT BLUE 58 Donate to our Patreon - For as little as $1 per month, you can access Patreon-only content and get access to our private Discord server. https://www.patreon.com/thepowersweep Buy...

The Packers have wrapped up their mandatory minicamp and now head into the deadest period of the NFL calendar. Let’s take one last look at the team before their summer break, then dive into our first book discussion. Final minicamp nuggets (00:32) The Packers are done with their minicamp. What did we learn? How will linebackers be used this year? (6:02) The Packers linebacker corps isn't exciting,...